an advantageous position in regard to the Furniture of the Government House at Hongkong; but, at the same time, they do not consider that they would be justified in allowing an exception to be made to the general rule in regard to the solidity of fracture for the private apartments of a Government House.
Supposing that the articles now required are supplied at the public expense, it would be expected that further articles, as the originals wear out, should be paid for from the same source; thereby involving a perpetual charge on the Public, which has hitherto been borne by the Governor for the time being.
Considering the position of the present Governor, and the circumstance of the reduction of his salary, Their Lordships are disposed to allow him some assistance on the present occasion, in the form of a special Grant, which is to be considered additional to the allowances made to Sir J. Bowring and Sir H. Robinson, and not to be construed into a precedent for the provision at the Public expense of Furniture for the private apartments of Government House.
They could propose for the Consideration of the Treasury, that this Grant should be fixed at £250; and they suggested that, with a view to avoiding a recurrence of the present difficulty, it should be understood that, on the retirement of the present Governor, the Furniture should be offered at a valuation to his Successor.
The Estimate which accompanied your Letter of the 11th of August, on the subject of the Furniture of Government House at Hong Kong, is returned herewith.
I am,
Your Obedient Servant,
[Signature: ?]
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